CM

Good morning, this is Keith with Collector's Maze and today I have with me Jasmine which also goes by Nerdyblasiancosplays. How are you today?

Jasmine

I’m doing great, thanks and thank you for having me.

CM

Absolutely happy you could be here today. Could you tell us about yourself and your work?

Jasmine

Well, I’m from Missouri and have lived here all 25 years of my life. Outside of cosplay, I’m a personal assistant and housekeeper.

I officially got into cosplay in 2018. I wouldn’t have thought I’d have done so many costumes by this point. I couldn’t tell you how many I actually have...which probably means there’s too many but we don’t have to get into that nonsense right now haha!

I make and buy my cosplays. I also like to do closet cosplays where I throw together a costume using items I already have on hand. I did a month long challenge last year and the year before that and it was challenging but also a lot of fun.

CM

Definitely sounds like alot of work to cram in a month but I imagine as the days went on it was smoother processes that were made to do one a day?

Jasmine

Not necessarily. There’d be some days I knew exactly what I wanted to do and sometimes I could even come up with another one right after then other days I’d stare into my craft room for a couple of hours having no clue what to do before I eventually settle on something. That’s what I get for trying to wing it every day haha.

CM

Lol but overall sounds like it was a great time especially if repeated the same challenge the following year. Do you see yourself doing that again this year?

Jasmine

I think so. I never actually intended to do it last year but then it just kind of happened. I do have a lot of fun doing it though and people seem to like it too so I probably will...just not sure when!

CM

Look forward to seeing if you do.

 So what usually drives your choices in the characters you choose to cosplay?

Jasmine

Most of the times I see a character I like and say, “I want that costume” or “I wanna be that character.” Usually it’s someone I can kind of relate to whether it’s their attitude or looks or both.

CM

Any current character you are working on?

Jasmine

Not really at the moment. I need to start working on my custom Mandalorian. I scrapped the previous design I had in mind but I’d like to start trying to work on that again. I also would like to try making a new chest piece, gauntlets, and belt for my Darla Dudley costume. There’s several other costumes I need to upgrade pieces on. Most of it involves learning how to make things out of foam and worbla. I just need to make myself sit down and do it haha

CM

When searching for processes to make something to you have fellow Cosplayers you turn to for tutorials or do you attempt to make on your own first?

Jasmine

I definitely try to get help when necessary. I can ask a friend if it’s something to do with sewing or I have another friend who does a lot of work with plastic and foam. I also have some guide books I can check out or I scroll through YouTube and see if I can find someone working on a similar project

CM

So what caused the initial spark to start getting into Cosplay?

Jasmine

Well a few things. A girl who graduated from my high school several years before me started posting things about cosplay when she moved away. I didn’t realize adults dressed up outside of Halloween and I always loved dressing up. I got way too into event nights at work or spirit weeks in school. I found out about some charitable costuming groups—the Star Wars 501st and Rebel Legion in my town—when I was in college around 2015, 2016 and thought that was the coolest thing. Dressing up for a good cause seemed so awesome. I had got invited to be a hero at a birthday party for some boys with cancer in 2016 and everyone who was in the legion groups encouraged me to be a part of their crew. I finally got around to actually joining them in 2018 after I graduated from college.

CM

If you were to pass on words of encouragement or advice to those already cosplaying or that are just starting out, what would you tell them?

Jasmine

Cosplay does not have to be expensive. You can thrift or use whatever you have on hand for a lot of stuff. Don’t worry about “being canon” if you don’t want to be. Change things how you see fit. Ultimately, it’s all about having fun!

CM

Where can our followers find and follow you and your work?

Jasmine

Instagram and TikTok: @nerdyblasiancosplays

Facebook: Nerdy Blasian Cosplays

Twitter: @nerdyblasiancos

CM

Well Jasmine it has been such a great pleasure to get the chance to chat with you and get to know more about you. We definitely look forward to all your future projects and also thank you for joining us on our Cosplayers page.

Jasmine

Thank you again for having me! I really appreciate it. You guys are great!